Mario Hezonja: Does He Make Sense For Detroit Pistons?

When Stan Van Gundy accepted his dual position with the Detroit Pistons, a lot of analysts saw it as a huge positive for the team, as he’s an accomplished coach that has proven he has a keen eye for talent.

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Last season, the Pistons didn’t make a leap into the playoffs as some probably hoped, but they did make improvements during the second half of the season, even after Brandon Jennings went down due to injury.

The team finished at 32-50 overall, but will be looking to push that record up even further and make a real push at postseason play.

With a young stud in Andre Drummond in place down low and a solid point guard in Jennings running the show, the team now needs to continue to surround these two talents with wings and forwards that can stretch the floor and give Drummond and Jennings enough room to operate in the lane and initiate the pick-and-roll game.

Drummond is an effective finisher when he can get the ball close enough by the rim (60 percent shooting within three feet of the basket), so focusing on keeping the offense simplified enough to take advantage of his strengths is something that Van Gundy will be looking to do more of going forward.

With the eighth pick in the draft, Detroit needs to add a shooting wing capable of making plays on the perimeter, even if there’s a fear that power forward Greg Monroe could walk in free agency.

One of the more interesting players that could be available in the second half of the lottery is international forward Mario Hezonja.

Hezonja has had a weird professional career so far in Europe, as he’s been stuck on the bench behind some very talented players in Barcelona. His playing time has been limited due to this, however, when he has gotten a chance to play, he has showcased his ability to put up points in bunches.

His offensive talent starts with his elite athleticism.

When evaluating the wing players projected to be lottery-level talents in the 2015 draft class, it’s easy to think of Justise Winslow and Stanley Johnson, but Hezonja may sneakily be more explosive than the both of them, just see the play below.

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Hezonja blew by three different defenders on his way to a monstrous finish at the rim, something that not many players can do off the dribble.

Speaking of finishing, Hezonja has no problem skying up for the easy two by himself or off of a lob pass from halfcourt. His leaping ability is certainly something that will help him find a spot in an NBA starting lineup.

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Outside of his natural gifts, it’s his shot that gives him credibility as a potentially lethal scorer in the NBA.

Hezonja has a smooth jumper that he is capable of using from inside or outside the arc, be it on a pull-up or spot-up look. His 6-foot-8 size combined with his high release makes it difficult for any player to block or fully contest his shot, which gives him a great advantage, especially over smaller wings.

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Having a player of his size with that kind of shooting touch off of catch-and-shoot opportunities has proven to be a plus in the league today. Just ask the Atlanta Hawks, who have had great success in drawing up plays for Kyle Korver, a shooter with great size and limitless range just like Hezonja.

If the Pistons were to have a weapon like Korver, it would do so much for their offense in terms of spacing and opportunities for other players.

Defensively, Hezonja isn’t quite there yet in terms of playing within a system. Yes, he has the physical measurements and foot speed to be a one-on-one defender, but his awareness on that end of the floor hasn’t quite caught up with his overall talent level.

That doesn’t mean he can’t learn, and a coach like Van Gundy would make sure he gave it his all on that end of the floor and wouldn’t let him just coast by on his offensive skill set.

As for Hezonja giving the game his all, that may be the biggest question that a lot of scouts have about him. Hezonja hasn’t had the best attitude in Europe, and has been known to be a little full of himself at times. However, Van Gundy doesn’t take that from any player, and has been able to mesh great talents together into a fully functioning team.

Van Gundy would be a great coach for Hezonja to learn under, as he could really build up his character and truly learn how to be a team player. Is arrogance completely a bad thing in a professional sport? No, but one must know how to control it while remaining hungry and humble at the same time, and Van Gundy could teach Hezonja how to do that and much more.

Is Hezonja worth the risk for the Pistons? Van Gundy seems to think so, at least according to the Detroit Free Press who got word from the head coach that the Pistons have done their homework on the international prospects in this draft, including Hezonja and forward Kristaps Porzingis, another overseas player who’s projected to be a high lottery pick.

“There’s a couple of foreign prospects, European guys, that certainly are gonna be in that top 10,” Van Gundy said. “Very, very good prospects, and if they’re the best guy on the board when we’re picking at eight, we’ll take them. … We’ll take him and may not get the same reaction from fans as a well-known college name, but again, what the fans really care about, ultimately, too, is winning games.”

It’s clear that Detroit isn’t afraid to draft one of the foreign prospects, which is a good attitude to have, as talent can come from anywhere, not just within the United States.

If Van Gundy can keep Hezonja’s attitude in check, then he could have a real steal in the draft, as he both fills a serious need and has the upside to justify a top selection.

Hezonja could be just what the doctor ordered for a Detroit team looking to get back to the playoffs. Take the chance Pistons, I say he’s worth the risk.

Next: Draft Dilemna Ahead For Pistons

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Does Mario Hezonja Make Sense For Detroit Pistons?

By Nathan Grubel | May 31, 2015

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